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Invasive alien species: new data from the IPBES report

The summary for policy makers of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), the highest scientific authority on nature and the tangible and intangible contributions that nature offers to people, was published today. The approval had taken place at the end of the 10th plenary session of the Ipbes by the 141 member countries, including Italy. The drafting of the report involved a hundred scientists from all over the world, required over four years of work and the consultation of over 12,000 bibliographic references

  • Invasive alien species: new data from the IPBES report
  • 2023-09-04T00:00:00+02:00
  • 2023-09-04T23:59:59+02:00
  • The summary for policy makers of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), the highest scientific authority on nature and the tangible and intangible contributions that nature offers to people, was published today. The approval had taken place at the end of the 10th plenary session of the Ipbes by the 141 member countries, including Italy. The drafting of the report involved a hundred scientists from all over the world, required over four years of work and the consultation of over 12,000 bibliographic references
  • When Sep 04, 2023 (Europe/Berlin / UTC200)
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According to the IPBES report, more than 37,000 alien species have been introduced by human activities in all regions and biomes of the Earth.
At least 3,500 species, nearly one-tenth of total alien species, are classified as invasive aliens. The percentage of alien species known to be invasive ranges from 6% of all alien plants to 22% of all alien invertebrates. 20% of all impacts were reported on the islands.
According to the IPBES report, invasive alien species cost the world at least $423 billion each year and have become a major threat to the diversity of life on Earth. The authors found that the cost of biological invasions has increased by 400%. every decade since 1970 and is expected to continue rising in the coming years.
According to the IPBES report, awareness, engagement and capacity building of citizens and stakeholders can provide a sustainable foundation, critical for the prevention and control of invasive alien species.
The IPBES report argues that citizens' and stakeholders' awareness, engagement and capacity building can provide a sustainable foundation, critical for the prevention and control of invasive alien species.
According to the ISPRA database, over 3,500 alien species have been identified in Italy, of which 3,363 are currently present.
The IPBES Report on Invasive Alien Species Summary for Policymakers, infographics and other illustrative materials are available here.
ISPRA, through its two experts, represents the Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security at the IPBES table.